Columbis MS oddball frame info
 

I recently bought a frame off of eBay with the intention of building it as a fixed gear bike. The pictures weren't that good and the builder was not identified, but what attracted me to the frame was that I noticed the non-standard tubing and lugs, which I determined via Google were Columbus MS (Multi-shape) tubing and proprietary lugs.

Now that the frame has arrived, I can see that it was built for all-internal cable routing including the shift cables which run through the bottom bracket via steel guide tubes. This means that a modern cartridge BB will not fit so I will have to locate a traditional spindle/cup BB. Not a big problem.

What is a somewhat bigger problem for me is that the frame is probably a bit too big for me - once again the seller's info wasn't all that good and I took a chance. I don't care about shift cables for my fixed gear build, but if I need to sell this frame I would really like to know what kind of downtube shifters were meant to go in the single top-mounted shifter boss brazed to the downtube. I have never seen anything like it, and if I were a buyer considering the frame for a regular multispeed build I would want to know that such shifters existed.

Also, I am wondering if anyone has ever heard of Rick Garner as a framebuilder (see the decal)? The only reference I have found is a Rick Garner currently at Yosemite Bicycle and Sport who used to be at Garner Pro Cycle Shop in Palo Alto. Yes I will call to check it out, but I was wondering if anyone had any firsthand knowledge. Thanks.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...8/P1010001.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...8/P1010003.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...8/P1010014.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...8/P1010007.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...8/P1010013.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...8/P1010009.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...8/P1010004.jpg

Congratulations, I have never heard of Rick Garner, but it is a very ncie frame.
Columbus MS was a tubing set from the early 90ies, at that time very expensive. At the following link is a bit more information:
http://www.anvilbikes.com/?news_ID=20&catID=3
There were several shifters availble that mount on top of the tube, like Shimano ax:
http://www.velobase.com/ViewSingleCo...346c4&Enum=104
It would be a shame to build this frame as a fixed gear, it deserves a nice group.
How much was the frame?

Thanks for the info. I saw the Anvil Bikes info on the tubing before I bought the frame, but the shifter mystery is now solved.

It may be a shame to build this as a fixie, but it won't be a permanent thing. I won't do anything to mess up the frame and preclude a geared build. I already have a nice steel frame bike road bike (American-built Stowe w/ Columbus SLX) and I don't need two :rolleyes:.